Alaska Schools Face Tough Budget Cuts

0:00From Anchorage, this is your March 19th update. Alaska school districts are preparing for another tough year of budget cuts, even after lawmakers last year boosted per student funding by $700. That increase came after overriding two vetoes, following years of warnings that schools were at a breaking point. Districts like Madanuska, Susitna, and the state's fastest growing area still face a $22,500,000 shortfall and May. Close three schools. Earlier this week, officials explained that while the funding formula changed brought some stability, it's basically flat money when inflation hits. From Matsu alone, it added just $20 per student over prior one-time aid, not nearly enough for a budget over a quarter billion dollars. Every district statewide reports revenue shortfalls, from Anchorage cutting hundreds of teachers to remote spots like Galena, eye and closures. Parents and educators are feeling the squeeze hard. Class sizes are ballooning, like one Anchorage fifth grader facing 34

1:01classmates, pushing families to consider leaving for better funded. States. In Roman has dropped to its lowest since 1998, with more declines expected, worsening the funding crunch. Meanwhile, school choice programs add to the costs. Popular options like Charters in specialized classes boost test scores and key kids local, but they kill economies of scale with extra busing and custom setups. Remote areas suffer most, where fuel and supplies cost way more due to shipping. According to officials, please for another base allocation high continue, with bills filed in the House and Senate. But key lawmakers say no long-term spending rises without new revenue amid oil windfalls and budget fights. The session is halfway done, so the outlook for schools remains uncertain.